The kex2 gene from the dimorphic and human pathogenic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Kexin-like protein is a component of the subtilase family of proteinases involved in the processing of proproteins to their active forms. Kexin-like proteins are also synthesized as a propeptide and this is involved in (auto)inhibition, correct folding and subcellular sorting of proteins. The kexin-like protein was described as the product of the kex2 gene for Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Yarrowia lipolytica and other fungi. Disruption of the kex2 gene in C. albicans and Y. lipolytica affects hyphae production and induces morphological cell defects, strongly suggesting a possible role of kexin-like proteins in dimorphism of human pathogenic fungi. In this work, we report the nucleotide sequence of the kex2 gene cloned from the dimorphic and human pathogenic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pbkex2). An open reading frame (ORF) of 2622 bp was identified in the complete sequence, interrupted by only one intron of 93 bp. The 5' non-coding region contains consensus sequences such as canonical TATA, CAAT boxes and putative motifs for transcriptional factors binding sites, such as HSE-like regulating genes involved in thermo-dependent processes; Xbp1, reported as a transcriptional factor that may control genes involved in cell morphology; and StuAp, which may regulate spore differentiation and pseudohyphal growth in fungi. In the 3' non-coding region were observed the canonical motifs necessary for correct mRNA processing and polyadenylation. The deduced protein sequence consists of 842 amino acid residues, showing identity to kexin-like proteinases from A. niger (55%), Emericella nidulans (53%) and C. albicans (48%). Comparative sequence analysis of P. brasiliensis kexin-like protein reveals the presence of homologous regions related to a signal peptide, a propeptide, a subtilisin-like catalytic domain, a P domain, a S/T rich region and a transmembrane domain. A putative Golgi retrieval signal (YEFEMI) has also been found in the cytoplasmic tail. The complete nucleotide sequence of Pbkex2 and its flanking regions have been submitted to GenBank database under Accession No. AF486805.